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Tigers hang on in AFL as Blues surge late

Sam Lienert

Richmond's dream AFL season start almost became their worst nightmare, as they barely held on to post their first win over Carlton in five years at the MCG on Thursday night.

The Tigers downed the fast-finishing Blues 14.22 (106) to 14.17 (101) in front of 80,971 fans, only surviving thanks to three missed Carlton shots for goal in the dying minutes.

Luke McGuane made himself an unlikely hero, producing a ferocious tackle on Carlton youngster Josh Bootsma to win a free kick and seal the game - fittingly by booting a behind - as the siren sounded.

Richmond had earlier dominated the first half to lead by 38 points at the main break and still led by 36 points at the last change, despite a Carlton third-term surge.

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But the Blues refused to give in, kicking the only five goals of the last quarter to close within seven points in time-on, after Jeff Garlett booted his second in succession.

But ruckman Matthew Kreuzer, who had kicked his second earlier in the term, missed a difficult set shot from a tight angle.

And Chris Yarran missed two simpler chances, the first from a close-range shot and the second from about 40m on the run to narrow the gap to four points with about a minute to go.

New captain Trent Cotchin was excellent for the Tigers, as was Shane Tuck and fellow midfielder Brett Deledio, who kicked three goals, while key forward Ty Vickery booted three majors in the first half.

For the Blues, Chris Judd and Bryce Gibbs were stand-outs along with Kreuzer.

The win was sweet relief for the Tigers, who suffered several costly fade-out defeats last season, including being pipped by the Blues with a goal inside the last minute in their most recent meeting.

It meant new Carlton coach Mick Malthouse's reign started with defeat and the Blues will face a big challenge to open their account in what will be another blockbuster against his former club Collingwood next round.

Adding to their pain, Mitch Robinson was knocked out in the second quarter and Yarran was reported for an alleged strike on Bachar Houli in the third term.

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick said while there was minor disappointment the Tigers let the game go to the wire after dominating early, Carlton were a quality side who were always going to fight hard.

"For us to come away with a win tonight was a really good result for our footy club," he said.

"We've got a long way to go, we understand that, but we haven't won a round one encounter since I've been here."

Malthouse said his players didn't rotate through the interchange bench nearly enough and some panicked at times when they could have steadied and kicked goals or set up teammates.

"I said to the playing group, there's no witch hunt in the rooms tonight," Malthouse said.

"It's just simply we needed to look at why our planning didn't work and why we were able to get back in the game."